Aboitiz Football Cup: SHS-AdC rules boys 18 division

CEBU, Philippines —  Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu scored a 4-1 victory via shootout against the gutsy Don Bosco Boys Home squad to clinched the boys 18 division title of the 20th Aboitiz Football Cup yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Even if they lack practice because of final exams, the SHS-Ateneo booters still showed that they are serious in claiming the title.“Wala gyud mi klaro nga practice. The kids were very in their exams,” said SHS-AdC head coach Oliver Colina to The Freeman.

Both squads were scoreless on the first half before Chris Osawa gave SHS-Ateneo a 1-0 lead in the 52nd mark.

However, Kent Israel Perez put up a gallant effort in scoring for Don Bosco and eventually tied the game at the 76th minute.

With the game going to extension, SHS-Ateneo's Leo Maquiling nailed a goal in the 93rd minute, but Kyle James Lauron immediately answered back with a goal forcing the match to go to penalty shootout.

During the penalty shootout, SHS-Ateneo booters proved that they were the hungrier team as Osawa, Hiroshi Iwanaga, John Veloso and Christian Lumapas sank all their attempts. Jack Zambrano also made an impressive job as goal keeper, allowing only one goal from Don Bosco.

It was a sweet victory for the SHS-AdC as its athletic director Rico Navarro could not even remember when was the last time the team won the boys 18 title.

In the girls 18, St. Theresa's College prevented SHS-Ateneo from a double-championship after upending the latter, 4-3, via penalty shootout.